Evolutionary palaeoecology of symbioses between bryozoans and hermit crabs

摘要: Modern hermit crabs form associations with many organisms which encrust, bore into, or cohabit the living chambers of gastropod shells occupied by crabs. Among these crab symbionts are bryozoan species develop massive, commonly multilayered, colonies encrusting shells. These extend chamber through a characteristic process helicospiral tubular growth originating from shell aperture. The scant information available on ecology Recent bryozoan‐hermit symbioses is reviewed. Symbioses have been recorded intertidal to upper slope environments, and tropical cold temperate zones. None obligatory bryozoans, majority modern involved also not symbionts. Fossil examples always lack crabs, poor fossilization potential; however, distinctive pattern other features bryozoans enable recogn...